Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What

Wow! My first Steinke book. I immediately ordered two others (Uproar and A Door Set Open). I love his use of illustrations, examples from churches he has worked alongside, personal experience, and bullet point lists that capture his thoughts at the end of each chapter.
This is a great resource for congregational leadership and dealing with groups as emotional systems. Edwin Friedman was Steinke’s mentor and it comes out in his writings. Every chapter was beneficial and I encourage church leaders to read, absorb it, and live it.

An interesting combination of cell biology, Bible stories, and systems dynamics -- used to highlight some of the dysfunction typical of religious communities and prescribe behaviors likely to promote strong leadership. Those already deeply involved in congregational politics will recognize some of the parishioner types described. Steinke's suggestions for leadership success aren't necessarily easy, but they sure seem promising and admirable.

An interesting combination of cell biology, Bible stories, and systems dynamics -- used to highlight some of the dysfunction typical of religious communities and prescribe behaviors likely to promote strong leadership. Those already deeply involved in congregational politics will recognize some of the parishioner types described. Steinke's suggestions for leadership success aren't necessarily easy, but they sure seem promising and admirable.

I serve on the church council for our congregation, so I had to read this book. I don't particularly consider myself a leader, mind you. So perhaps that's why I wasn't impressed. The book did offer some good advice, I guess. It just seemed, well, obvious: Don't panic. Think things through. Stick to your principles. Really listen to people. ... Of course, I suppose that during a crisis--in church or elsewhere--one does need to be reminded of the obvious.
--J.